Thursday, 14 March 2013

MALAYSIA DENIES ABUSES VS FILIPINOS IN SABAH

CHECKING.....Malaysian
policemen validate a woman’s documents during a security check in Lahad Datu on
March 11, 2013, in the face of a monthlong intrusion of the followers of Sultan
Jamalul Kiram III into Sabah.

By : MATIKAS SANTOS

MANILA : Malaysia on
Wednesday categorically denied the alleged human rights abuses committed by its
security forces against Filipinos in Sabah, saying that their security forces
have been complying with the law.

“The Malaysian Government
strongly rejects allegations of human rights abuses in Sabah, Malaysia as
recently reported by some Media in the Philippines,” the Malaysian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs said in a statement released Wednesday evening.

“The Malaysian Government
wishes to assure all concerned that the Malaysian authorities continue to act
in accordance with the applicable domestic laws and international law in
discharging their responsibilities in the face of blatant aggression by the
armed militant group from the neighbouring southern Philippines,” it said.

The Malaysian embassy cited
reports by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which, along with INQUIRER.net, is a
member of the Inquirer Group of Companies, on the experiences of refugees who
fled Sabah and returned to their homes in Tawi-Tawi province to avoid being
caught in the hostilities between Malaysian security forces and the supporters
of the Sultan of Sulu led by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram.

The refugees recounted how
some Filipinos were being rounded up for being alleged supporters of Kiram who
sailed to Sabah, upon orders of his brother Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram to
reclaim what they insist was their rightful territory.

The refugees also claimed
that some Filipinos were shot and killed by Malaysian police.

“The allegations published
by Inquirer, one of the dailies in the Philippines on 9 and 10 March 2013, in
particular have been found to be unjustified and unsubstantiated, and those
reports clearly run counter to professional journalism,” the statement said.

“The reported allegations
are fabrication of lies by those whose intention are to damage and strain the
good and close relations between Malaysia and the Republic of the Philippines,”
it said.

It further said that the
Chief of Police and the Malaysian Defense Minister had both strongly denied the
allegations that Malaysian security forces had committed any human rights
abuses.

“The Chief of Royal
Malaysian Police in Sabah, who is one of the top police officials overseeing
the operation against the armed militant intruders in Lahad Datu and
surrounding areas, had on 10 March 2013 categorically denied those
allegations,” it said.

“That statement was
confirmed on 11 March 2013 by the Minister of Defence of Malaysia, who also
strongly denied allegations that the Malaysian security apparatus are randomly
targeting Filipinos of Suluk/Tausug descent in Sabah,” the statement said.

The statement further said
that it was taking all necessary measures to ensure that the “humanitarian
needs of all civilians in the concerned areas are fully addressed.” (INQUIRER.net)